Who We Are
Founded in 1996, Noruz Films is a motion picture production company with its primary office in New York, but maintaining permanent ties with North Carolina. Noruz Films has co-ventured with overseas financiers in its feature film production Man Push Cart (2005). Noruz Films operates with a close-knit group of independent artists and collaborators with the aim to make truthful cinema that has a place in the global marketplace. Artistic independence in the mandate; international co-productions are the norm, but exclusively selected. Financial viability a must.
Born and raised in America, Ramin Bahrani received his BA from Columbia University in New York City before moving to his parents' homeland of Iran for three years where he made his student thesis film,Strangers (2000). Bahrani then lived in Paris before returning to the states to begin work on his first feature film, Man Push Cart (2005). The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival (2005) and screened at The Sundance Film Festival (2006) before being released theatrically world-wide to critical acclaim. Winning over ten international prizes, Man Push Cart was also nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards (2007). Bahrani's second feature film Chop Shop (2007) premiered at The Cannes Film Festival (2007) where Le Monde declared it "The major revelation of the Director's Fortnight." Chop Shop next screened at The Toronto Film Festival (2007), and it will be released in America in early 2008. Bahrani is currently in post-production on his third feature film, Goodbye, Solo.
Professional photographer, Hooman Bahrani has worked together with his brother as Manager of Noruz Films since it was founded in 1996. In addition to managing the affairs of the company, he found himself as boom operator on the short film Backgammon, and festival coordinator for Man Push Cart. In addition to his duties at Noruz Films, Bahrani is an accomplished photographer, who first came to prominence for his ability to capture the essence of performers on stage in the underground music scene of North Carolina. You can visit his photography at www.vesic.com. Bahrani is also a professional pilot and races cars.
Born in Iran , but raised and living in France, Bahareh Azimi is an architect, interior designer and writer. Azimi has worked for several years in one of the leading and most innovative architecture firms in Nice. She has also written songs for several French independent musicians. Azimi co-wrote Chop Shop (2007) with Bahrani. The film premiered at The Cannes International Film Festival in 2007. She has also co-written Bahrani's third feature film to be shot later this year.
Michael Simmonds studied cinematography at The School of Visual Arts in NYC where he received his BFA. Simmonds has shot many features, short films and commercials. He shot two films for world-renowned filmmaker, Amir Naderi, Marathon (2002) and Sound Barrier (2005). Simmonds' first collaboration with Bahrani, Man Push Cart (2005) earned him an Independent Spirit Award Nomination in 2007. Simmonds went on to shot Trainwreck (starring Gretchen Mol and Sean Williams Scott), as well as documentaries for Christopher Quinn (21 Up in America) and Margaret Brown (The Order of Myths). His second feature film with Bahrani, Chop Shop, premiered at The Cannes Film Festival in 2007. He also plays banjo and guitar, and is an avid surfer..
Currently based in NYC, Nicholas Elliott is a graduate of Bennington College. Following his studies in film and theater, he spent six years living in Paris where he wrote and directed two short films, Lost Man and Sue's Last Ride, which screened in Rotterdam and Amiens, among others. He also appeared as an actor in Shadow of a Vampire, and produced concert visuals for the rock band Placebo. His most recent project, shqrurx, a performance piece which he wrote and was the sole actor in, premiered at the Odense International Theater Festival in Denmark in 2003. He is currently preparing both a short film and a play that will premiere in Luxembourg in spring 2006. He also records music and sings in the band, Turkish Love Circus.
Pradip Ghosh graduated from Columbia University in 1997, with a degree in Economics-Mathematics. As a Vice President in Fixed Income at Lehman Brothers in New York City, Ghosh brings his years of experience in the banking industry to the business side of Noruz Films, and together with Bahrani structured the financing of Man Push Cart. Ghosh has traveled extensively around some of the most remote parts of the world with a recent highlight being an overland journey from Western Uzbekistan to Eastern Mongolia.